Mike Elko addresses Dalton Brooks arrest: ‘We’re handling it’

Right as fall camp got underway in College Station, Texas A&M had an off-field issue to deal with. Defensive back Dalton Brooks was arrested following a hit-and-run incident. Reports indicate it took place in late June before being arrested by police on Aug. 1.

A few days later, Aggies head coach Mike Elko addressed the situation. Everything will be handled inside the program, not wanting to release too much information. Elko said these are moments Texas A&M takes “seriously” but wants to do within their own walls.

“The other thing I want to address before we get started is the Dalton Brooks situation,” Elko said. “Obviously, that’s something that we’re aware of. Issues like that are something we take very serious in our program. We’ll look into it internally, we’ll handle it internally. It’s not something we’re going to talk about how we’re handling it. But it is, obviously, something we take very seriously internally inside our program. So, we’re on it and we’re handling it.”

Brooks is entering his third season in College Station and might be looking at a bigger role inside the defense after being a solid contributor. In 25 career games played, Brooks has recorded 77 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, one sack, and two interceptions. While the turnovers were split between the 2023 and 2024 seasons, most of the overall production came during Brooks’ sophomore campaign.

Texas A&M even got him involved in special teams at one point last year. Brooks returned two kickoffs during the Mississippi State game, going for 36 yards. Elko must have had enough after just two attempts, not getting another touch the rest of the season.

Aug. 30 will bring UTSA to town for the season opener. Texas A&M will have another nonconference game against Utah State before heading up to South Bend for a massive showdown vs. Notre Dame. Last season saw the Irish emerge victorious in the front-end of the home-and-home series and you know Elko’s bunch is looking for revenge.

Brooks figures to be an important part of the equation, no matter what point of the season the Aggies find themselves in. However, the arrest does bring questions. Elko seemingly shut them all down, making it known what his intentions are.

Practice will continue in the coming days and weeks before walking into Kyle Field. Maybe another update on Brooks will be provided from Elko before then.